In the aftermath of a deadly terrorist assault on Woro and Nuku communities in Kaiama Local Government Area of Kwara State on Tuesday evening, soldiers and Forest Guards have now taken control of the affected areas.
The death toll from the attack has risen to 40, according to credible local sources.
A reliable source in the local government, speaking anonymously to journalists on Wednesday morning, confirmed the escalating casualties.
“The casualties are over 40 as we speak, and soldiers and Forest Guards have taken over the two communities.
It’s a very tragic development, especially when we thought we were finally seeing some peace from previous terrorist attacks,” the source said.
The terrorists, reportedly originating from neighboring villages in Niger State, launched a renewed offensive against the two communities on Tuesday evening.
Multiple families lost loved ones in the violence, and several homes were set ablaze by the attackers.
Sources indicated that the terrorists had been moving through nearby villages in Niger State, attempting to preach against the Nigerian Constitution and urging residents to embrace the Qur’an exclusively.
They carried this message into Woro and Nuku in Kaiama LGA.
During their preaching session in the communities, dissenting voices from residents provoked the terrorists, who responded by opening indiscriminate gunfire on the gathering.
“The enraged terrorists fired shots indiscriminately at the congregation, resulting in no fewer than 40 residents of the two communities losing their lives, with only a few managing to escape.
Preparations for a mass burial are underway as we speak,” the local source added.
Meanwhile, the Kwara State Government confirmed the terrorist attack in an official statement issued by the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Rafiu Ajakaye.
Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq expressed deep sorrow over the incident, describing it as a cowardly act.
“The Governor condemns the attack, which he says is a cowardly expression of frustration by terrorist cells following the ongoing counterterrorism campaigns in parts of the state and the successes so far recorded,” the statement read.
“Governor AbdulRazaq says the attack was apparently to distract the security forces who have successfully hunted down several terrorist and kidnapping gangs across many parts of the state.”
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The Governor extended heartfelt condolences to the people of Woro and Nuku communities, particularly the bereaved families, and reiterated the administration’s commitment to supporting security efforts against such threats.
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